Choosing the best turf for your Aussie lawn is a crucial step in achieving a beautiful, thriving, and low-maintenance outdoor space that suits your climate, soil conditions, and lifestyle.
Australia’s diverse climate zones, ranging from tropical to temperate and arid to coastal, present a unique set of challenges and opportunities when it comes to selecting the best grass variety. Here, we’ll explore the best grass for Australian lawns, highlighting their unique characteristics, growth habits, maintenance requirements, and adaptability to Australia’s ever-changing weather conditions.
Couch grass
Couch grass is a perennial grass species often found in lawns, gardens, meadows, council strips, and even golf courses. It’s often mown short and known for its dense, interconnected network of underground stems (rhizomes), making it an excellent choice for erosion control and preserving valuable topsoil, slopes and embankments.
This deep root system also aids in nutrient cycling and improves soil structure. Its roots penetrate deep into the ground, accessing nutrients from lower soil layers and contributing to overall soil health.
Alongside its soil-binding capabilities, couch grass exhibits a remarkable tolerance for different soil conditions and climates. It can thrive in various temperatures, moisture levels, and soil types, making it a reliable choice for landscaping and restoration.
Its resilience and adaptability allow it to persist even in challenging environments, providing green cover and stability where other plants may struggle.
Kikuyu grass
Kikuyu grass is characterised by its vibrant green colour, broad leaves, and creeping growth habit. It spreads through stolons (above-ground stems that root at the nodes), allowing the grass to quickly fill in bare areas and form a thick carpet-like cover. Its fast growth and ability to recover from damage make it well-suited for high-traffic areas.
One of the key advantages of Kikuyu grass is its tolerance to a range of soil types and climates. It thrives in warm and humid environments, but it can withstand periods of drought and recover rapidly once water is available. This drought-resistant grass can also adapt to different soil conditions, including sandy or clayey soils, making it versatile and resilient in any yard.
Kikuyu grass is known for its rapid growth rate, which requires regular maintenance. It needs frequent mowing to keep it at an optimal height and regular watering and fertilisation to maintain its lush appearance. However, its fast growth also means it can recover quickly from wear and tear, making it the best grass for lawns that experience heavy usage.
Sir Walter Buffalo grass
Sir Walter Buffalo grass is known for its lush, emerald-green appearance, soft texture, and low-maintenance nature, making it a popular choice for residential and commercial landscapes. It’s a warm-season grass that thrives in various climates, from humid coastal regions to arid inland areas. It exhibits excellent adaptability and resilience, withstanding both hot and cold temperatures, as well as periods of drought and shade.
One of the key advantages of Sir Walter grass is its ability to create a dense and luxurious lawn. Its broad, dark green leaves form a thick mat that helps to suppress weeds, reducing the need for herbicides.
The dense growth also provides a comfortable and safe surface for children and pets to play on, and its robust root system helps it bounce back from damage.
Unlike some other grass varieties, Sir Walter grass has a relatively slow vertical growth rate. This characteristic contributes to its low-maintenance nature, requiring less frequent mowing than faster-growing grasses. Its slower growth also means it is less likely to develop thatch — a layer of dead organic material — resulting in a healthier and more sustainable lawn.
Finally, Sir Walter grass is renowned for its tolerance to shade. It can thrive in areas with partial sunlight, making it a desirable choice for gardens or landscapes with trees or structures that cast shadows. Its shade tolerance sets it apart from other warm-season grasses that often struggle in low-light conditions.
Sapphire Soft Leaf Buffalo grass
Sapphire Soft Leaf Buffalo grass is a warm-season grass that thrives in various climates and has excellent tolerance to heat, drought, and cold, making it suitable for various regions across Australia.
One of the standout features of Sapphire Soft Leaf Buffalo grass is its striking blue-green colour. The grass blades have a soft texture and a unique hue that can add a touch of elegance to any landscape. Its visual appeal makes it desirable for homeowners and landscape designers who want a visually stunning lawn.
Sapphire Soft Leaf Buffalo grass also offers practical benefits. It forms a dense, thick carpet-like cover that helps suppress weed growth and reduce the need for herbicides. This dense growth also provides a comfortable surface for activities and enhances the overall durability of the lawn.
Sapphire Soft Leaf Buffalo grass has a moderate growth rate, requiring less frequent mowing compared to some other grass varieties. This characteristic contributes to its low-maintenance nature, allowing homeowners to enjoy a beautiful lawn with less effort.
While it prefers full sun, it can still maintain healthy growth in areas with moderate shade, making it an attractive choice for gardens or landscapes with trees or structures that cast shadows.
Find the best turf for your garden with Oz Landscape Supplies!
The key to a successful lawn lies in understanding your local conditions, including climate, soil type, and sun exposure. Consider factors like drought and shade tolerance, wear resistance, and maintenance requirements to align your grass choice with your lifestyle and preferences.
At Oz Landscape Supplies, we offer all the best grasses for lawns — Couch, Kikuyu, Sir Walter Buffalo, and Sapphire Soft Leaf Buffalo — cut directly from the turf farms we work with locally. We also supply the required turf underlay and top-dressing soil to set your lawn up for long-lasting success.
Order the best turf in the Hunter Region online — we offer delivery Monday to Friday (depending on local weather conditions).
